An extensive number of charges are being considered against individuals in the Lower Mainland after the Surrey RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department teamed up to put a stop to a fraud ring operating out of Vancouver.
The Surrey RCMP Combined Forces Identity Theft Team (CFITT) began a Fraud investigation after receiving information regarding a group of suspects using fraudulent credit card information to purchase items from online auction sites.
Following an initial review of the evidence, investigators alleged that the suspects involved would open bidder accounts using compromised victim profiles, containing personal information, as well as stolen credit card information. The suspects would then bid on items sold on online auction sites. Once the bid was successful, the suspects would then have the purchased items shipped via couriers to third party locations. Once received, some of these fraudulently purchased items would be placed for sale on other online sites commonly known for the sale of used items. Total losses in this matter were found to have exceeded more than $129,000.
The Surrey RCMP CFITT were able to identify a residence of interest in Vancouver and then teamed up with the Vancouver Police Department Identity Theft Unit (ITU) to further their investigation. A surveillance-based investigation was commenced in this now-Joint Forces Operation.
On September 28, 2010, the team was granted a Warrant to Search the residence in Vancouver. As they prepared to enter the home, a suspect exited a third floor window, onto the roof of the residence, and then jumped onto the roof of a neighbouring home. This suspect’s attempted flight was brought to a quick end when he jumped onto the rear patio of this residence which so happened to be the place where a Vancouver Police Dog and his handler were positioned for the arrest. This 33 year old man from Vancouver was taken into custody without further incident.
Also detained during this search were the following persons:
-28 year old female from Vancouver
-28 year old male from Burnaby
-21 year old male from Vancouver
-22 year old female from Coquitlam
-28 year old female from North Vancouver
A large amount of exhibits were seized in this Search including computers, stolen ID, stolen mail, magnetic card reader/writers, personal profile documents, passports, other items related to identity theft activity as well as fraudulently purchased property. Further evidence was also gathered that led investigators to an apartment in Vancouver where sufficient grounds existed to apply for another Warrant to Search the residence.
As members of the team were applying for the Search Warrant, the Surrey RCMP CFITT received information that the occupant of the residence was attempting to move out with the contents of the apartment. In order to effect a timely response to this development, the Vancouver Police Department sent patrol officers from their District 1 team to secure the scene. The scene was effectively contained by the Vancouver Police Department until additional resources from the Surrey RCMP and a Vancouver Police Dog team were able to attend. A female, 34 years old from Vancouver, was detained and further evidence was secured.
Further identity theft and fraud-related evidence was then recovered at this location as well as in the vehicle being used to move the items.
Due to the complex and sophisticated nature of this investigation, the suspects in this matter have been released while a recommendation for charges is prepared to be forwarded to Crown Counsel. As a result, the Surrey RCMP are unable to publicly identify the persons involved in these offences.
“This complex, multi-jurisdictional investigation was undertaken by both the Surrey RCMP and the Vancouver Police Department using a team approach to a common problem. In our daily operations, we often cooperate with other police agencies and enjoy a tremendous level of cooperation from the Vancouver Police Department in matters such as this” says Inspector Wade Lymburner of the Surrey RCMP. “This team was able to effectively stop a group who were potentially affecting thousands of victims and costing the payment card financial system a large amount of money.”
Source: http://surrey.rcmp.ca